Dr. Hai Nguyen, 1989 - 2024
Dr. Hai Nguyen died on November 5, 2024 from complications from a stroke in Austin, Texas. He was 35 years old.
Dr. Nguyen was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his undergraduate studies in biochemistry and molecular biology at Washington State University (WSU). He joined Dr. Hei Sook Sul's lab at the University of California, Berkeley focusing on adipose tissue and obesity and earning his Ph.D. in Endocrinology. Dr. Nguyen did his postdoc at the University of California, San Francisco in the lab of Dr. Nadav Ahituv where he investigated how genetic variants predispose to obesity, particularly investigating the role of gene regulatory elements in obesity. There he also bioengineered fat cells to treat metabolic diseases and cancer. Dr. Nguyen’s most recent research centered on the mapping and characterization of regulatory elements and genetic variants responsible for sex-specific fat distribution and obesity. By investigating the molecular and genetic determinants of obesity, he was able to discover insights into adipose tissue development and the hypothalamic regulation of feeding.
At the time of his death, his lab was investigating the role of genetic variants in predisposing individuals to obesity and related metabolic disturbances in the adipose tissue and hypothalamus; studying the genetic underpinnings of sex-specific differences in adipose tissue biology, including adipocyte differentiation, lipogenesis, lipolysis, and adipokine secretion; and translating their findings into real-world applications by developing targeted CRIPSR gene therapy to address challenges associated with adiposity and metabolic disorders.
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Dr. Nguyen published a number of publications in major journals like Nature Communications on subjects like lipolysis, glucose utilization, adipogenesis, metabolic regulation, glycolysis, and thermogenics.
He died surrounded by family, friends, and colleagues. He is survived by his partner and his father.
Dr. Margaret Elizabeth Willis Briley, 1929-2024
Margaret Elizabeth Willis Briley, a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on July 29, 2024, one week shy of her 95th birthday.
Margaret was born in Abilene, Texas to Charles and Ivey Willis on August 5, 1929. She was proud of her West Texas roots and her pioneering family. An excellent student, she earned high honors throughout her schooling, graduating as valedictorian of her senior class. She enrolled in college at 16 years old, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in food science and nutrition. While at a school dance she met Clyde Briley, a pharmacy student who was also a fellow West Texan, from Tahoka. From that moment forward, the two were inseparable until Clyde’s death in 2007.
In Tahoka, Clyde practiced as a pharmacist and Margaret was a public-school teacher. During that time, their first child, Kathryn, was born. The family soon moved to Lockney, Texas where Clyde and Margaret owned and ran Lockney Drugs for 16 years. Margaret continued teaching while acting as manager, purchaser, bookkeeper, and head of HR at the store. Their second child, Kimberly, was born in Lockney.
In 1969, the family moved to Lubbock, operating Briley Drug Store across the street from Texas Tech. Eager to continue her education, Margaret earned her master’s degree and PhD in animal husbandry and nutrition from Texas Tech while continuing to manage the drug store, teach Sunday School, make dinner every night, and stay active in civic and social activities. Margaret was the first person in the United States to graduate with a PhD in that field from a non-land grant university. Undeterred by gender stereotypes of her generation, she broke down barriers and crashed through many glass ceilings during her career.
Upon completion of her studies, she was recruited to join the faculty at Texas Christian University as an assistant professor of nutrition. Clyde said that, after following him and his career for 24 years, it was his turn to follow her. They sold the drug store in Lubbock and moved to Fort Worth in 1973.
They both dreamed of returning to Austin, and, in 1975, Margaret became an assistant professor of nutrition at her beloved University of Texas. This was the start of a 44-year career at UT where Margaret displayed the boundless tenacity, stamina, and focus on academic excellence she had always been known for. In time she became a full tenured professor, ultimately retiring at 90 years old with the honor of professor emeritus status.
Margaret’s prolific research focused on childhood nutrition and nutrition of children in childcare outside of the home. She conducted research in several Texas cities, Mexico, and in seven other states while also presenting her research to academic groups around the world.
During their time in Austin, Margaret and Clyde stayed busy with friends and dedicated to their faith. They were early members of Westlake United Methodist Church where they served in many leadership roles. You could often find them on the golf course at Lost Creek Country Club when they were not traveling throughout the United States.
Margaret earned many awards and accolades for her academic accomplishments, but she was best known for her devotion to her faith, love of family, and her dedication to her students. She was always the first to volunteer to serve those around her and was especially famous for her amazing cooking skills.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Chuck, and by her beloved husband, Clyde. She is survived by her daughter Kathryn Riddles and her husband Claud, and by her daughter Kimberly Bove and her husband Marc. She is also survived by her granddaughter Allison Riddles Wethington and her husband Dave, granddaughter Briley Bove, great-granddaughter Avery Wethington, and her loving cousin Mary Smith and her husband Donald.
A memorial service was on August 31, 2024, at Westlake United Methodist Church, 1460 Redbud Trail, Austin, Texas.
If you wish to honor Margaret’s memory, please consider a memorial gift to the church or to the Methodist Children’s Home.
Dr. Laura Wells Bowers, 1978-2024
Dr. Laura Wells Bowers passed away on May 20, 2024, at her home in San Antonio, Texas after a long battle with cancer. She lived a life of challenges, but also one of hope, courage, love, and joy. She was a beacon of strength to all who knew her.
Laura was born in San Antonio on July 26, 1978. She graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 1996 and obtained a B.A. in psychology from Swarthmore College in 2000. She became a Registered Dietician and later earned a Ph.D. in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.
Life threw a challenge at Laura in 2014 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She did not let this slow her down. Laura completed her dissertation and did her defense while undergoing chemotherapy. She did postdoctoral work at the University of North Carolina and then became an Assistant Professor of Nutrition at Purdue University. She retired from academia in 2021 and moved back to San Antonio to be closer to her family.
She spent her last few years caring for her mother and working as a Breast Cancer Patient Advocate. In this role, she worked to promote funding for breast cancer research, educate patients and the public about the disease, and advocate for legislation to ensure that all breast cancer patients have access to quality care.
Laura married the love of her life, Mike Bowers, on October 14, 2006, in San Antonio. They had more than twenty years together full of love, adventure, and happiness. Mike followed Laura as life took her from Austin to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, then to West Lafayette, Indiana, and finally back to San Antonio.
She was an avid runner for many years. She was on the Alamo Heights High School cross-country team that went to two state championships. As an adult, she participated in races like the Rock 'n' Roll San Antonio 1/2 Marathon and the LiveStrong Austin Marathon. She qualified for the 2014 Boston Marathon, but her cancer diagnosis prevented her from participating.
Laura is survived by her husband Michael Bowers, her father Cone Joseph Wells, and her mother Ann Denton Wells, all of San Antonio; her brother and sister-in-law David and Meghan Wells of Austin; her beloved dachshunds Charlie, Zoey, and Oakley; and countless friends, family, and colleagues. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Ernest and Evelyn Wells and Lloyd and Bernice Denton, her stepmother Margie Wells, and her dachshunds Molly, Mya, and Toby.
A celebration of life was held on June 22, 2024 at the Culinary Garden of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Texas Dachshund Rescue and/or the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation.